Drains

County Drain Management

The Drain Commissioner and their staff oversee the construction, operation, and maintenance of more than 100 County Drains. These drainage systems are essential for managing stormwater, preventing flooding, and protecting streams across both urban and agricultural areas.

A County Drain may include:

• Creeks, rivers, inland lakes, or ponds

• Retention ponds, detention ponds, or swales used to convey stormwater

• Watercourses, open ditches, or underground pipes

To ensure proper function, routine maintenance is periodically required. The Drain Commissioner is authorized to spend up to $10,000 per mile, per drain annually for maintenance and repairs. Beginning January 2025, this amount has been adjusted to $10,280.00, based on the Consumer Price Index, and will continue to be updated for inflation each year on February 1st.

Larger construction or improvement projects must go through a petition process, which can be initiated by property owners or local municipalities. The costs of such projects are recovered through special assessments levied on private properties, local governments, the County, railroads, and state highways that benefit from the work.

Important Note:
If you have questions about a specific drain, please contact our office to verify whether it is officially classified as a County Drain. Many roadside ditches or private drains fall outside the Drain Commissioner’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, any work within or crossing a County Drain requires proper permitting—please contact us before beginning any such activity.

To learn more about Michigan Drain Code and the role of Drain Commissioners, visit the links below.

• Michigan Drain Code of 1956
• Importance of Drain Commissioners
• History of Drains
• Drain Commissioners FAQ
• A New Approach to Managing Water in the State of Michigan